Post op day # 5

The last day or so of recovery have been going well. I was discharged saturday around 1230 and have been getting around pretty well despite my smiley face incision :). I am able to get in and out of bed by myself now which is a huge accomplishment at this stage for me.

While I was in the hospital my blood sugars were running a bit on the high side (because of the prednisone) the doctor said it was up to me whether or not I wanted to check my blood sugars at home. Since I didn't want to be walking around with a 300 blood sugar I decided it would be best to poke my finger 4 times a day. Since I got home and am able to control my diet better my sugars have been under better control. I only needed insulin once and that was while I was in the hospital.

I've had some pretty great nurses while I have been home too. Ron came over the other night and hung out with me and we watched a movie. My dad has been cooking my food and helping me sort out all the new medications, even though he can't pronounce 75% of them lol. I've been staying on the main floor on a blow up mattress. My room is filled with flowers so it's a nice place to stay :)

Ive finally been able to see my four legged babies! ellie sleeps with me on the bed. She has been really good about not coming close to my face or belly. Yogi is too scared to come near me because of all the flowers and new stuff in this room, it's kinda funny.I also miss my little Lou baby. Ron has been face timing me so me and her can visit haha.

Yesterday was thehair cutting benefit. I'm excited, They had a huge turnout and raised so much money! thank you to all those who helped make it such a huge success, you all rock!! I sooo wish I could go up there and tell everyone thank you but it's better I am not around that large of a group.

I am feeling GREAT! It's so amazing the way I felt just 5 days ago to the way I feel today. I just feel so blessed and lucky to have gotten this new strong kidney that's kickin some major butt in there!

My donor, my uncle, is doing well too! It's kind of a nice time to be off since the weather is finally breaking so hopefully he can get out and enjoy his little vacay !

Thank you all for your continued support, recovery is much easier knowing you all have my back!

Xoxo britt

Today was a good day. Doctors woke me up at 6am. Came in pulled my bandage off and said he was putting in the order to have my catheter removed. Before he walked out the door I asked him what my creatinine was and he said "0.9, BAM" did some crazy emeril lagasse move and split hahaha. I started peeing about 2 hours after the catheter was removed and go about every hours 4-600ml at a time. Drank a lot of water today. My other doctor told me that yesterday the new kidney put out 7 liters in one day!! This kidney sure is working!

Ron came up here about 8am and stayed all day with me and is gonna spend the night. He's been my nurse today and we've even promoted him to doctor- he earned his long white coat :) my dad came around 4 because I slept most of the day. They give me 50mg of Benadryl and 2 Norco before my thyroglobulin which basically knocks my immunosuppression down and since you can have a reaction they premedicate you so I was out COLD. It was nice to sleep a little.

My incision looks exactly the same as the old one just on the other side. It's getting easier and easier to move around and get out of bed. I've been taking pain meds around the clock so I can move around and get up to pee. I've also been getting heparin shots 3 times a day. These things are awful too! My thighs are full of bruises and blood.

They are still continuing to check my blood sugars 4 times a day. Today they lowered my prednisone to 80mg a day and that reflected in my blood sugars so we are on the right route.

This evening my aunt Faye, aunt pay, aunt sharon, an my old neighbors Fred and Lisa came to visit. It's always nice having ppl come visit it really breaks up the day :)

Today was also the Buffalo Wild Wings fundraiser. Ron went and got us carry out. Sara from work sent me a pic of everyone at work with their carry out :) too sweet!

I'm hopefully going home sometime tomorrow! Ill keep you all updated!

Xoxox britt

A fresh start

Well yesterday was a bit of a crazy day. I started taking all my medicine. They started me off on 100mg of prednisone. Yes you read that right, 100mg. I seen a lot of doctors who are still really happy with my progress. This new kidney is putting out a ton of urine, making me feel like a brand new woman :)

Yesterday we did our channel 7 news interview that will air on Monday. She interviewed me, my uncle, and my mom. I am not really sure of the questions she asked me but I do know I cried most of the time. She asked a lot of question pertaining to how it is to deal with something like this being so young and how I dealt with it. Not to mention that 100mg of prednisone working its magic. So everyone be sure to tune in to channel 7 news this weekend they will be doing promos all weekend long and airing it sometime on Monday.
Yesterday I came off all the fluids which is nice not to be hooked up to anything. This morning my catheter comes out and dressing comes off. So I can already imagine today I'm going to be a lot more sore from getting up out of bed so much.

All of my nurses here have been AMAZING, not to mention all the doctors and the other staff.

Don't forget today is the BDubbs fundraiser! Take your flyer and head out and buy lots of booze and wings for me!!! Love you all!!!

Xoxo,
Britt

Super kidney!

So here's how the surgery went..

We woke up at 400a to get to the hospital on time. My uncle went back to preop around 530 and I went back at about 545 to get my IV and labs drawn than sent back to the waiting room to do more waiting.

I started feeling sick and nauseous so I laid on my moms lap for most of the time. I wasn't scared or nervous. I've been praying a lot and I believe God took care of all those feelings!

I was called back to preop at around 730. My mom came back with me to wait. We seen all the crew- anesthesiology, RNs, doctors and pharmacists. Everyone was so nice and caring I felt like I was in good hands. Ron had worked the night before so he didn't get up the hospital until about 5 minutes before they took me back to OR. I was so happy I got to see him before I went back, poor guy was more nervous than anyone I think!

They gave me a little cocktail as I was wheeled back. All I remember is getting on the small OR table and them putting and O2 mask on me, next thing I knew I was awake in postop in a lot of pain. I finally got a couple doses of morphine and along with pushing my PCA button we were able to get it under control and I was able to rest.

I couldn't believe how good I felt other than the pain. It was amazing. They drew my labs and my creatinine one hour after surgery and it was half what it was yesterday. I was so incredibly happy to see near normal numbers!! I guess the docs told my uncle that it was a record of how much urine this kidney put out immediately following sugery! They are replacing me with 1:1 fluid to carefully watch my i&o but at one point I put out 950ml in one hour. They switched my IV while I was under too, thank god because its a 14 gauge!!! I think that's a garden hose.

I am more painful this time or at least it feels that way. I think it's because my uncles kidney is so huge that is more painful bc something was put in. I think I know how painful breast implants would be.

I got up to my room about 5 hours after postop. My RN couldn't believe how wel I was doing and how alert I was. The nurses I've had have been awesome and very helpful. I'm not in a private room- bummer but that's okay! My mom and dad were waiting for me when I got up here everyone else went home once they knew how well we both were doing!

My uncle is doing great! He has already had his foley out and has been walking the halls. He will probably go home tomorrow. I can't thank him enough for this gift he has given me. Thank you doesn't even come close. I hope he knows how much of a difference he has made in my life and becuse of him I can start living it again.

Tomorrow I have to get up and start working. I can already tell its going to be painful but I am starting to move around more and more and the PCA is helping.

Thank you EVERYONE for the prayers I know they helped!

Tomorrow channel 7 news crew will be interviewing my uncle and I. I have always wanted to be on the news and share my story so others can be aware - it's so exciting!!

Ill post again tomorrow!
Til then,
Xoxo britt :)

Phil visits Britt

Phil took his first walk and came to see Britt. She is so thankful❤

Talked with Phil

Phil is doing very well. He was asking about Britt and how she was doing. He said how lucky we are to have each other..,

Surgery

Phil is done all went well. Britt on now getting new kidney. We are so happy😘

Surgery day

Well the day has arrived. This is Brenda and I will be making posts while Britt and Phil are under the knife. Britt is sleeping on my lap waiting to get called back. Richie is sleeping and Janet is reading magazine.

4-24-2013 <3

Today was my last dialysis.. Hopefully ever. It was so hard to wake up and go because just the thought of feeling like I do during it MAKES me sick. I only ran for 2 hours and came home and slept most of the night.

Surgery is tomorrow. We have to be there at 515am. My uncle's surgery starts at 715 mine will be at 10. He's been on a clear liquid diet all day and I will be NPO starting at midnight.

Tomorrow I get three doses of some type of globulin which will knock my tcells or the cells that are responsible for attacking foreign things, down to nothing. I've already been taking an additional medication for immunosuppression for the past couple days so I am getting there..

I left Ron today and came to my parents. Ill be staying here after my surgery for a few weeks so I have someone to help me if I need it.

So here goes nothing, please keep sending the prayers ill need them tomorrow :)

Xoxo britt

Don't Forget!

Don't forget to come out to Lodge Lanes on May 4th from 8pm-?? For not only a fundraising opportunity for my kidney transplant but also for a GREAT time! My family has worked super hard to get some awesome prizes for the raffle including some signed Lions and Red Wings gear and even front row Tiger tickets, plus lots of other really cool items!!

Tickets are $25 and for $25 you get two games of bowling, pop, pizza, and shoes. You can purchase tickets by clicking on the PayPal link below.

When you come to the bowling alley you will sign it at the front. They will have a list of everyone who has paid via PayPal and that is considered your ticket in!

So mark your calendars and come enjoy a couple games of bowling, good food, and great company!

Since ill be very immunosuppressed and recovering from surgery I won't be there but people will be taking pictures so I hope to see your smiling face there!

Xoxo, britt

Pre-op visit

My uncle and I had our preop visit today and it was a long day filled with a lot of waiting!!

First I met with research who offered me a couple opportunities to participate in clinical trials. I probably won't do any of them. But it was interesting to hear the different types of things they are working on for kidney transplants.

Next my uncle and I went and had our blood drawn for type and screens and tissue matching.

After that I met with a couple nurses to go over postoperative care and kinda what to expect afterwards. I requested a private room but they can't guarantee it, so hopefully I do get one. We call to find out Tuesday what time our surgery is on Wednesday.

I then met with the PA who I had a lot of questions for. My main concern above everything is taking the drug prograf again. It is was scarred my kidney in the first transplant and ultimately caused it to fail because one of the side effects is kidney toxicity but it is the drug that keeps my body from attacking the new kidney. They said I'd he on that because its the best drug for second transplants and since I've been on it for 10 years my body is used to it. I also have to be dialyzed both Monday AND Tuesday next week. They are worried about my potassium being too high because if it is they will cancel surgery. I've never been high I've been low so that's not something I am worried about. I just pray pray PRAY that the doctors will watch my drug levels closely and we won't have the same problems as before.

At the end I met with the financial coordinators who went over everything including copays for drugs and what I can be expected to pay.. Yikes.

So all in all it was a good day.. Please Keep the prayers and good thoughts coming, it's getting closer and closer.

Xoxo, britt

Almost there!!

Dialysis was this morning at 6am bright and early! When I weighed in I didn't lose or gain anything, same weight- woohoo!
They hooked me up and everything was going good but the machine's "low flow" alarm kept going off which will usually go off if the line is occluded. The tech had me cough and laid me flat and that alarm only went off one more time during my treatment. He said that sometimes these CVCs can be positional.

My whole time went really well. I rented a movie from the iTunes gift cards josh had gotten me and the time went by really fast. So thanks josh! I only got a little dizzy at the very end so I got another bolus and life was good again! My BP stayed stable the entire time- I'm hoping they finally got me figured out!

My dad came and picked me up- which he usually does everytime. He comes over to my house at 520a and drives me out to Westland and then picks me up at 9a and drops me back off at home. Since my mom started her new job he's also been going with me to all my doctor appts and his question asking skills have gotten better :) couldn't ask for a better dad who is ALWAYS there :) thx dad love ya! A funny story that we always tell.. During my first transplant I was admitted the night before and they use to have a Wendy's at uofm. So for dinner my dad and I got Wendy's. He had ordered a chicken sandwich for him and some nuggets got me. When he got back to the hospital room and got his food out he noticed that his chicken sandwich was just a bun lettuce and tomato, they forgot the chicken!! Hahaha anyone who knows rich knows how he looks forward to his meals.
I think he ended up eating it anyways.

I found out today that I got approved for short term disability thru work which allows me to keep my insurance. I am just waiting for my work to receive my FMLA paperwork.. Ugh. Dialysis, surgery, paperwork, insurance... It never ends!

Tomorrow is a big day! I'm ready to find out everything so come back tomorrow I will be posting everything I find out!

Until then,
Xoxo britt




Lots of pictures posted- enjoy :)

<3

A day late but nonetheless- visited with infectious disease doctor who has been following me since my previous transplant. Here's a quick story of why I needed to see him...

There's a virus called EBV that is checked in the donor and recipient before surgery along with many others. This virus is the one responsible for mono. 10 years ago when I was 16 and had my first transplant my mom was positive for the virus in her blood and I was negative. Since I was going to be immunosuppressed they worried that the virus will have the strength to run rampant. After my first transplant they were able to detect the virus in my blood but I was always asymptomatic. The reason this virus is so bad is because it can cause a type of cancer similar to lymphoma. When I was tested for my second transplant they were still able to detect the virus but at a pretty low rate.
So like the previous transplant they are going to monitor me very closely and if they notice the EBV virus levels start to rise in my blood they will adjust the immunosuppressive drugs.
One thing the doctor said was that since my uncle is my moms brother they will probably need to keep me even MORE suppressed because my mom and uncle could have similar antibodies and my body has already built up them against it. Confusing I know. There's so much more that goes into a transplant than just going through surgery. Surgery is the easy part it's the recovery that can be rough, but I did once before I can do it again!

Had dialysis later in the day yesterday because of my doctor appt which is why I haven't posted until today. It actually went very well! I lost .3kg over the weekend (usually I gain) and my standing BP pre treatment was 90s/40s. I thought for sure I was going to bottom out and get sick. They gave me more a bolus before and throughout the whole treatment my systolic didn't get below 120, which I can tolerate. They continued to give me 100cc bolus every 30min and life was good :) I left the same weight I came in at, which is good for me.

Thursday my uncle and I go in for our history and physicals. So hopefully ill know more about the medication regimen, postoperative recovery and what I can expect this time around.

Only 3 more runs!!!
Xoxo, britt


Pictures posted are of my uncle (my donor) and I, enjoy :)

Lucky number 7 run this am in the chair. I had lost 1kg over the last day which is 2.2 lbs. The dialysis tech gave me a bolus before he even hooked me up to the machine and I was feeling good until I WAS hooked up to the machine. Onceeee again I started getting restless and lightheaded and quickly the room around me got quiet. My BP dropped to 90/50 from 130/80 and I sure was feeling it. He bolused me with additional fluid and within seconds I felt better. It's amazing how instantaneously I can go from feeling like absolute hell to normal. I got comfortable, put my earphones in and turned on Married With Children (morning television is pretty scarce) and tried to sleep.

About halfway thru I started getting anxious and short of breath again so they put me on a few liters of O2 and bolused me YET again and I felt better.

The tech was telling me today how all the patients ask about me and always say "Wow she's so young to have to go thru all this, I feel sorry for her" I don't want people to feel sorry for me. It may look on the outside when I'm attached to all these tubes that, yeah, it must suck to be so young and have to endure this but in all reality what you don't see is how incredibly blessed and lucky I am to have such a great life. I have an amazing family who is beyond supportive and loving. I have the best boyfriend who has been my bestfriend and cheerleader (haha :) ) thru it all, a great rewarding job with understanding and supportive coworkers, and of course all my lil 4 legged babies!
When you lose something like your health it opens your eyes to appreciate all the things you DO have!

After dialysis I gained .7kg. i was very weak leaving. But Ron came and picked me up today and he had breakfast waiting in the car :)
When I got home I felt very weak and extremely tired. I had a little bit of tingling in my legs but no muscle cramps or headache.

On Monday I have an appointment with infectious disease to go over blood work and talk about possible complications regarding the transplant at the U.

Xoxo britt

Had my 6/11 dialysis treatment today and it went pretty well. Weighed in .7kg lighter than when I left Monday so as usual today was all about replacing fluids.

I felt really good until about 2.5 hours into it all. I can always tell my BP is dropping because I start to get restless and short of breath. Sure enough my blood pressure was 100/50 which is very low for me so they gave me an additional bolus of fluids and I felt normal again for the last half hour of treatment. Next time the RN said they will give me a bolus of fluids before I start which sounds like it should help.

They also took my stitches out of my port site today. I don't ever remember having stitches removed before but they hurt ! I'm starting to think I have super low pain tolerance.

When I got out of the chair I wasn't as weak or tired- I only lost .3kg. I also didn't get cold during my treatments. When i got home i didn't have any tingling or muscle cramps, just a headache. Maybe my body is adjusting to all this? Not sure, but I am definitely glad I tolerated it today!

Everyone is being so kind and generous with all the fundraiser and benefits it's so amazing to feel all the love and support. I am very thankful for all of you!!!!

Xoxo, britt

If he brings you to it, he'll bring you thru it

Fifth run of dialysis & I'm not so sure how much more I can handle...

I woke up this morning for my 6am treatment and felt like this time was going to be a breeze. Friday was my best run yet and I thought that we've finally figured out how to NOT make me feel like hell during it- I was wrong.

The first hour in a half was good. I thought I was in the clear until I started feeling short of breath. I told the techs who gave me additional fluid which helped, but only for a few minutes. I kept feeling like it was difficult to breathe so I asked for oxygen. They put oxygen on me which helped but then I started feeling like my heart was beating out of my chest and I was restless and very very anxious- something no amount of fluids could fix I basically just had to deal with it. I was very jittery thru the whole treatment and was SO glad when my 3 hours was up! As soon as I got unhooked from the machine I began to calm down and was able to take the oxygen off. I ended up leaving dialysis the same weight I came in at thanks to all the fluid they gave me.

When I got home I still had all the same symptoms I've been having- leg cramps, tingling, headache, fatigue. Today tho my entire body felt very VERY weak. It takes effort to get out of a chair. I feel like I'm on the verge of needing that hover round.

I really don't know how people handle hemodialysis for any longer than I have to. My heart breaks for these people and it just makes me realize how incredibly lucky and blessed I am to have found a match for transplant so quickly.

Until next time,
Xoxo britt

Cutting for a Cause

Don't forget to come out on April 28th to Inspirations Hair Salon for Cutting for a Cause!

Some of my fabulous friends & family have put together this fundraiser to help with the medical bills slowly adding up.

From 10a-4p you can come to the salon for a haircut and all proceeds will be donated!! Even if you don't need a cut you can come by the salon for food, raffles, and fun! Check out the picture below for more details :)

Fourth time's a charm...

Fourth time in the chair today and it wasn't all that bad. I had lost weight today (usually since your kidneys don't work you retain fluid and in turn gain weight) the techs and nurses told me I was a tricky patient. The nurse even told me she was thinking about me last night because in all her years of nursing she has never had a patient have such a hard time with dialysis after multiple runs. I like to think I just keep people on their toes and keep it interesting :)

Throughout the whole three hours I didn't once feel 'sick'. My blood pressure stayed stable and I ended up getting 200ml of fluid an hour. At the end of the session they ended up only taking off .3kg. Which was tolerable. Finally!

I met with the dietician today as well. My protein is a little on the low side and she told me to push meat. She told me that when the toxins in your blood build up they will mix with the nitrogen in meat ad cause a "disgusting" taste in your mouth when you eat meat so a lot of renal patients don't like meat. I, being an abnormal renal patient once again, can't wait to cut into the biggest juiciest piece of cow I can find!

Ron came to pick me up today from dialysis. It was the first time he's seen anything like that, but I wanted him to see what it's like and he wanted to as well. He was pretty pumped about his yellow PPE gown he got to wear, he even took it home. I'm so lucky to have him in my life <3

When I got home I had the same typical side effects- weakness, fatigue, headache, and tingling. I slept for about 3 hours and once I was awake I stayed awake! So pretty good day overall, nice not to feel defeated for once.

Thanks for all your thoughts & prayers, they're working!

Xoxo, britt

To catch you up...

I had my dialysis catheter placed last week. Letting people know you are a nurse is not always a good idea. During the pre-op the doctor started to explain the procedure and all the risks and benefits of having a CVC. I may be a nurse but I had know idea what he was talking about- intrathroacic pressures and aortic valves. I had to explain to them that I take care of vaginas and boobs- far from the heart. He asked me if I wanted just a little bit of lidocaine to numb the area or some fent and versed. I'm not stupid I chose the fent and versed. I was really anxious and nervous and this little cocktail helped ease my worries. The next day the site was very sore, nothing Tylenol could help which is what they told me to take. Needless to say I had to go back to the clinic and be checked out in case they had cut my muscle. Luckily it was just a hematoma- which by the way is very very painful.

Hemodialysis started two days after my CVC placement. The first run went well . It was 2 hours long and I got a little bit nauseous during it but overall wasn't bad. The next day I was able to get out of bed and hang out all day with my boyfriend which is a far cry from what I had been experiencing.

My second run of hemo was Wednesday and it was 2.5 hours long and a little bit more challenging. The whole concept of hemo is to act like your kidneys and remove all the wastes and extra water from your blood. I, unlike many other renal patients, still pee which makes it hard to determine what my "dry weight" is or what I would be if my kidneys still functioned and I wasn't holding water. They tried taking 2 kg off because they said I gained 1.4 kg over the weekend. I got sick and couldn't handle it so in the process I ended up getting 1.5L of fluid. Confusing I know. After my second run I felt very very weak. Like my legs weighed about 300lbs each. When I got home I had tingling all over my body, from my face to my toes. The kind of feeling you get when your foot falls asleep. After I slept for the night and woke up that feeling went away but I still felt dehydrated. The day after dialysis is usually your best day, this one...not so much. I slept most of the day.

My third run of dialysis was Wednesday and was AWFUL. I wouldn't wish this on anyone. I felt bad for the nurses and techs because I kept yelling for help. Every 30 minutes I got high, sweaty, short of breath, nauseated, and felt like I was on the brink of passing out. I had to have oxygen and again received a bolus of fluid. I told the nurse my dry weight is too low and I can't have that much water taken off. So they figured to give me a 100cc bolus every 30 minutes and to only take off about .5kg. I bet they're thinking what a pain in the ass patient I am lol all nurses are :)

I go for my fourth run tomorrow. A total of 3 hours in the chair. Hopefully we have figured out my issues and it goes more smoothly and I can just sleep thru it.

I appreciate all of everyone's support, it means everything to me.

Below is a picture of my port site and Layla because she's so ugly she makes everyone smile!.. Ill be trying to post day by day because I know some of you reading this live far away and are wondering what has been going on!

Xoxo, britt

Bowling for Brit!

Please come out to bowl and support Brittany!!

Brittany’s family and friends are organizing a fundraising benefit to help support Britt!
 
Please join us at Lodge Lanes in Belleville on Saturday, May 4 starting at 8:30.

This includes 2 games of bowling, food and prizes!

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by clicking on the donate button below and paying through PayPal. 

Save the Date!

If you have found this little blog, I have a feeling you love our Brittany like we do.

You may have heard her story.

If you haven’t, the following is my understanding of what is happening with Brittany.

When Brittany was 16 years old she began to experience kidney failure. This was completely unexpected as she lived the life of your typical high school teenager. Britt was placed on dialysis, while the search for the perfect match began.

Thankfully, the first search didn’t take Brittany too far from home – her mother, Brenda Ivan, was a perfect match. A date to end dialysis was finally in sight!

On the surface, the surgery went well. Brittany’s new kidney had been accepted and Brenda’s recovery was going better than expected.

However, further exams showed the anti-rejection medications (for Brittany’s body to accept the new kidney) had left the organ severely scarred.

At 16 years old Brittany was the recipient of a kidney transplant, endured dialysis and was no longer your typical teenager.

Ten years later, the day her family and friends have feared for years has come.

Brittany’s “Brenda” kidney is no longer functioning.

Through the miracle of love many people have offered their kidneys to Brittany. After a very long road and many dead ends – Brittany has finally found her match!

Brittany’s Uncle Phil Luke is a perfectly matched donor!

Phil Luke is a father of three and the youngest and only boy among a long line of Luke sisters – to say Phil has a special kind of heart is simplifying the man he is.

Today, Britt is at home with the people (and dogs) that love her. She has good dialysis days and some not-so-good dialysis days. I think it’s safe to say we’re ready to get this kidney in her!

She is in our thoughts and prayers and we decided it was time to do something a little extra for Britt!

We will continue to pray for her, but we want to help her financially.  Britt has had to take a medical leave to take care of herself.

Please save the date to bowl with Britt and say a final farewell to her “Brenda” kidney! All proceeds from this event will benefit Brittany and her procedure. 

Bowl with us Saturday, May 4, 2013!